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about
The lyrics evolved out of the huge shift in our world - Lockdown, loneliness, disconnection, combined with the threat of a pandemic. It began simply enough: The idea of someone alone, with only their internet connection to the outer world - and their computer playlist - to bring them solace. But then - trawling the net - Janette discovered the ancient Greek goddess, Achlys, who symbolises the mist of death, eternal night before Chaos. In Hesiod, Shield of Heracles (Greek epic, 8th or 7th Century BC) she is described as "dismal and dejected, green and pale", her face running with blood and tears. She is alone for an eternity. This felt to Janette like a rich persona to explore, expressing all the misery and frustration of being cut off from all human contact. But, after her meltdown, she returns to the humdrum of the everyday and the acceptance of it. Everyone is allowed at least one tantrum!
Musically, and in terms of production, this was one of the more challenging pieces on the album. The original 7/4 riff, used in the verse, seemed to lack direction. David sent ideas on piano which seemed to invite a transition to a more dramatic middle section. Janette picked up on this by adding gliding synthesizer notes, laying the foundations for the out-pouring of anguish when the vocals were recorded later. Having been inspired by the jazz group, Snarky Puppy, Brian refurbished his straight mute for the trumpet solos as the final section settles back into the character of the first part. In her vocal performance, Janette really did inhabit Achlys!
lyrics
Achlys Sings the Blues
Here I am, in my own world, in my cocoon
a world away from you
What do we do, in solitude
in this, the new Coronageddon world?
Snow is falling gently all around me,
softly, she rocks me to sleep
Her spell is deep and in my dreams I hold your face ,
feel your warm embrace,
your kisses on my lips
We can talk, text, chat for hours and we do
I can’t see enough of you
but all my senses ache for your touch
It gets too much, it simply gets too much
Craving warmth and human interaction,
I trawl the whole of the aerosphere
but you’re not here, we’re nowhere near
there’s no one near, no one to hold my fear
no one to stop my ...
Heart from dying like an ember,
exploding like a star
pulled into endless darkness
an eternity of ice
I am become Achlys
my only world is darkness,
before the dawn of time,
before the birth of Chaos
and nothing here is mine!
I’m screaming in the silence,
buried in the snow
Burning like a wildfire,
paradoxically undressing,
with nowhere left to go
A bomb about to blow
a bomb about to blow!
Hey, how are you? What you been doin’ lately?
Oh all the usual here in cyberspace
The only place I can show my face and I can feel safe from everyone
I need a drink – make it a double and, hey Alexa, play me some Miles
It’ll take a while, but we’ll get through it somehow
just please be with me now, be with me now
Hold me now - be with me for a while
….. a while.
credits
from The Three Body problem,
released June 19, 2021
Music by Alternative Communication
Lyrics by Janette Kidd
Produced by Brian Kidd & Alternative Communication
David Reid: Piano & synthesizers.
Janette Kidd: Bass guitars; Lead and backing vocals.
Brian Kidd: Guitars, guitar synthesizers & atmospherics; percussion and drumbox programming; flugelhorn; trumpet.
Alternative Communication is based in Perthshire,
Scotland.
We began in 1980 at University as
friends with
common musical interests. We composed our
own music, self-releasing 3 albums until the group disbanded in 1985.
David A. Reid (solo artist) and Brian and Janette Kidd (Not for Pussies) continued to
compose and record until, in 2019, they reconvened....more
Three renditions of “Snowflakes in July” explore all aspects of the song’s stunning beauty, including a mind-blowing 17-minute live version. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 15, 2020
